Place Of Burial
The Immaculate Conception Church Grounds, The Lough, Cork

Obituary
“I’m sure there would be even more here if it were not for the very nature of their work. Sailors and soldiers, wardens and prisoners, nurses and doctors and patients, young people of the scout movement all over Ireland, as well as the people of Riverstick and the North Chapel whom he served.”
These were the words of Fr. Maelisa O Huallachain, OFM, at the funeral Mass of Fr. Kevin Lanigan. His words reflected the diversity of people to whom Fr. Lanigan had ministered during his 20 years as a priest of the Dioceses.
He died unexpectedly on 30th September, 1994, while visiting his sister in Australia.
Fr. Lanigan was a native of the Lough Parish where his remains were buried. He was ordained in the Chapel of the Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranabraher, in 1974 and received his first appointment to Belgooly Parish. He lived in Riverstick during this time and also taught in the School of Commerce. In 1984, he was appointed Chaplain to the Naval Service, based at Haulbowline.
He served as curate in the Cathedral Parish between 1988 and 1992 when he was appointed Chaplain to the Mercy and Erinville Hospitals, where he ministered until his untimely death.
Along with these ministries, Fr. Lanigan had a passionate interest in scouting and was known nationally and internationally for his commitment. He was National Chaplain to the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and promoted scouting at every opportunity.
As Fr. O Huallachain noted in the homily, Fr. Lanigan was “a man of faith and his whole life was an expression of that faith. He was known near and far for his ministry to the sick and to people who needed prayer for any reason. “Prayer was a part of who Kevin Lanigan was, and it was because of this that he could pray so naturally ‘off the top of his head’ and share his own relationship with God without embarrassment, with patients and anyone else who wished to join him. His faith and prayerfulness rubbed off on anyone who came in contact with him.”
His commitment to his priesthood brought him in contact with many people in a relatively short life. Those who knew him will miss him but will also be grateful for having known him. His sudden death will be no disappointment to Fr. Kevin. He deeply believed in the One who has called him from this life, and his faith made him ullamh for the journey.